GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Palestinians said a huge explosion has leveled the Gaza home of a senior Hamas commander, causing multiple casualties.

The blast was reportedly caused by an Israeli airstrike, but Israel denied that.

The explosion early Monday wrecked the house of Ala Adnaf, a commander of the Hamas military wing, Palestinian security officials said. At least 17 people were rushed to a hospital, and unconfirmed reports said two people were killed. Rescue teams were digging through the rubble.

The security officials said a missile fired by an Israeli warplane hit the house. The Israeli military said there was no airstrike or any other Israeli activity in the area. They spoke on customary condition of anonymity.

Often, bombs being prepared in Gaza houses explode accidentally. (AP)